To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many files in the PF MI5 series there were; how many of these have been (a) declassified, (b) destroyed and (c) designated as remaining classified; what criteria were used to designate such files as falling into each category; how many of the PF MI5 series files that remain classified relate to (i) suspected and (ii) indicted war criminals; if he will declassify such files to enable an assessment by the Metropolitan War Crimes Unit to be made with a view to grounds for prosecutions; and if she will make a statement. (162757)

The available information is that the Security Service held approximately 272,000 personal files in January 2005—this figure is an accumulative total covering the history of the Service and includes those files on individuals who have been subject to investigation, personnel files on members of staff and other files, for example, those who have been of assistance to the Service, but does not include those files that have been destroyed. Since 1997, the Service has destroyed approximately 114,000 personal files—these were destroyed in accordance with agreed procedures and do not include files of historic interest. As at September 2007, the Service had declassified and released to The National Archive over 2,700 volumes of personal files.

The Security Service will provide full assistance, including disclosure of information, in response to a police request arising from an investigation of suspected war crimes.